The Gallatin Board of Aldermen discussed how much the water plant project plan has changed through the years and their concerns going forward with the project and raising water rates during their meeting held August 23.
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Water are the current water rates?
Stan Wolfe, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), presented an amendment to a letter of conditions dated Feb. 17, 2011, for the Rural Development $604,000 Subsequent Loan. Mr. Wolfe also provided repayment letters for the $3,296,000 and $604,000 Combined Sewerage and Waterworks System Revenue Bonds. He pointed out that in the letters the interest rate has been reduced to 1.625% for the 35 year bonds.
The board eventually came to the conclusion that they should utilize the lower interest rate and build the plant to continue to provide water and at a higher quality since there isn’t another option to purchase water currently and remodeling the current water plant would be costly and not an efficient option.
Board members from the Public Water Supply District #2 spoke in regards to the updated contract from the City to increase rates and adding a minimum purchase requirement of 1,500,000 gallons per month. The PWSD #2 stated their attorney and other board members will need to review the contract prior to holding another meeting with the city.
It was stated the water rate increases for Gallatin residents and PWSD #2 were calculated by the engineers and were based on project costs and repayment of the bonds and if the rates are not increased it would affect the continuation of the project.
A special meeting to complete the bond closing process has been set for Sept. 7. The city requested PWSD #2 to move quickly to insure a contract is signed prior to September 7.
An ordinance was approved amending water rates as needed to meet USDA funding requirements, and setting an effective date. Rates and effective date as follows: $33.25 monthly base rate for first 1,000 gallons; $7.25 per gallon for all usage per month in excess of 1,000 gallons. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from October 2016 usage, which would be reflected on Dec. 1, 2016 bills.
The tax rates were approved and set as follows: General Revenue Fund .6267; Parks and Recreation Fund .2230; Band Fund .0200.
Police Chief Mark Richards submitted a report on activity from Aug. 8-23 with the following reports taken and tickets given: 11-Traffic; 6-Information; 11-Follow-up; 3-Training; 7-Citizen Contact; 1-Citizen Complaint; 44-Created Record; 4-Animal Control; 7-Codes; 7-Received Call; 27-Handled by Officer; 3-Paper Service Attempt; 4-Admin; 7-Open Business Check; 13-Investigations; 3-Citizen Assist; 2-Building Check; 17-Call for Service; 1-Assist Other Agency; 76-General Patrol. There are five dogs in the pound.
Chief Richards stated the department has been following up with several code violations.
Bills in the amount of $43,431.42 were approved for payment.
Park Board’s accounts payable in the amount of $423.27 was approved by the city. Justin Harlow was appointed to the Park Board.
The board reviewed an ordinance amending city code provisions regulating alcoholic beverages, including the issuance of liquor license permits and fees, setting a maximum number of licenses available, regulating possession of alcohol, repealing prior ordinances on liquor licenses, and setting an effective date. The board discussed adding restrictions on specific community events that wouldn’t be allowed to hold beer gardens. Attorney Cowherd stated the city can legally charge 1.5 times the state fee for liquor licenses. The board requested a list of state and county liquor license fees to be presented at the next meeting.
The transfer of ownership was discussed for the cupola building. Steve Maxey, Steve Holt, and Steve Shoot joined the discussion. The committee is still pursuing the September 23 deadline for the Neighborhood Assistance Program grant. In the event the committee can’t meet the deadline, the next available NAP grant deadline is April 2017. Discussion was held on creating a new 501(c)(3) organization to apply for the NAP grant and complete the cupola building project. The top priority of the committee is getting the roof repaired with funding available from the Gallatin Industrial Development Corporation.
Discussion was held on the People Service Operation & Maintenance Report for July 2016.
Administrator Stonecypher announced the property owners interested in North Franklin Street have determined they are no longer interested in owning the property. The agenda item for street vacation discussion died for a lack of a motion.
Julia Filley was appointed as the city prosecutor at a rate of $100 per hour.
The board requested John Gillum to attend the next meeting to answer questions regarding the 2015 audit and authorizing him to complete the 2016 audit. The 2015 audit acceptance was tabled.
An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into contract with John W. Gillum, CPA, LLC, for audit services and to do all acts necessary under such contract died for lack of a motion.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the meeting for the City of Gallatin held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Dockery Park shelter house. Present: Mayor Barb Ballew, President of Board John Whitfield, Aldermen Dan Lockridge, Steve Evans, Carol Walker, City Administrator Tony Stonecypher, City Clerk Hattie Bailey, Police Chief Mark Richards, Police Chaplain Austin Bonnett, City Attorney Robert Cowherd, Ruby Teel, Steve Maxey, Steve Holt, Steve Shoot, Cupola Committee Members Kate Chrisman, Darryl Wilkinson, Clint Vanatta, James Wilson, Mark Hemry, PWSD #2 Board Members Wally Sperry, Wendell Burns, Randy Eads, and Stan Wolfe and Shawna Barnes with USDA.